A reflection on one year of photography and journalism from The Waco Bridge.
Justin Hamel
Justin Hamel is a visual journalist for the Bridge through a partnership with Catchlight and Report for America. He’s excited to help shape the Bridge’s visual journalism by ensuring every story includes strong visuals. His goal is to create meaningful photos that reflect Waco by listening deeply to people within the community; photographing not only the concerns impacting their lives, but also the celebrations, dreams and traditions. Before joining the Waco Bridge, Justin Hamel spent six years in El Paso as a freelance photojournalist covering migration along the U.S.-Mexico border and the energy industry in the Permian Basin.
Posted inCommunity
Healthcare costs strain Waco and Texas businesses as lawmakers seek solutions
Citrano said many George’s employees don’t believe health insurance is worth the rising costs and only 19 have opted into the plan.
“When your participation is low, your rates are higher. So what we pay for insurance … it’s a lot,” Citrano said.
Posted inCommunity
Waco brings Juneteenth joy to Elm Avenue
Organizers say about 1,000 people participated in the parade celebrating 161 years of emancipation in Texas.
Posted inCommunity
After 81 years, Circle Hardware says goodbye to its loyal customers
One of Waco’s last family-owned hardware stores will close by month’s end, a blow to weekend DIY warriors and small-time contractors who appreciated the store’s customer service.
Posted inGrowth
Cracked streets and leaking pipes give Lacy Lakeview leaders headaches. They see data center dollars as the cure.
Lacy Lakeview struggled for years with tight budgets and deteriorating streets and utilities. The promise of $10 billion in tax base from the Infrakey project looked like a once-in-a-lifetime solution. A photo essay.
Posted inGrowth
A storied Waco school falls to bulldozers, but the stories will remain
An effort to preserve the history of the school originally known as Jefferson-Moore High proceeds as the 54-year-old campus is cleared for the Barron’s Branch development.
Posted inCommunity
Photo Essay: Peace prevails as Baylor hosts TPUSA, progressive events
No conflict was evident Wednesday as hundreds of students attended competing political events by Turning Point USA and Baylor progressive groups.
Posted inCommunity
Competition enlivens Keep Waco Beautiful’s Brazos River cleanup
Some 200 volunteers set out on foot and on kayaks Saturday to see who could clean up the most garbage from the Waco riverfront.
Posted inCommunity
The last baptism: A farewell to Church Under the Bridge’s founding pastor
Jimmy Dorrell, the legendary urban minister, bade farewell Sunday to his outdoor urban congregation after baptizing a dozen people in the chilly waters of the Middle Bosque River.
Posted inCommunity
“Waco Voices Live” storytellers share what it means to be Hispanic in Waco
Remembering a landmark corner grocery store, a beloved newspaper, a grandmother’s house and the neighborhoods that defined Waco’s Hispanic community.
